Avid and long-term tennis players often experience injuries. While not all injuries can be prevented, some certainly can, and it’s worthwhile for athletes to know these tips to help themselves. The three main areas where athletes can focus their attention to prevent injuries is on their equipment purchase, their warm up routine and their cool down.
A warm up should be part of every athlete’s routine and should include increasing the temperature of muscles, increasing blood flow and oxygen to muscles, increasing the speed of nerve impulses and increasing the range of motion of joints. A warm up can include a gentle jog and stretching. The total warm up should last from 15 to 30 minutes – and the benefits are lost if you are then inactive for 30 minutes after the warm-up.
A cool down is also essential for athletes. The cool down period helps the athlete to gradually bring his heart rate down, to circulate blood and oxygen to the muscles, and to reduce muscle soreness. This should include a gentle jog and then a light stretch.
When purchasing tennis equipment, athletes need to consider the shoes and socks they are wearing and the racket that they purchase. Working with a coach or other professional can help athletes to make the best decisions for their needs and their routine.
